A senior aide to the Iranian Supreme Leader said reliance of the regional governments on powers has been the root cause of the recent popular uprisings that resulted in the overthrow of several dictatorial regimes in the region.

"The Islamic Awakening movement is, in fact, a reaction to the governments' ignorance of the countries' national dignity and independence, and to their dependence on the great powers as well as their indifference to the Muslim world issues, specially Palestine," Iranian Supreme Leader's Top Advisor for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said, addressing the opening session of the international conference on 'Women and Islamic Awakening' here in Tehran on Tuesday, July 10.

He pointed to the results of post-revolution elections in those states such as Tunisia and Egypt, which have experienced popular uprisings in the last couple of years, and said that the results of these polls showed people's commitment to their Islamic identity and religious values.

"The nations' approach in these recent uprisings displays that Islamism and revival of Islamic principles and foundations is deemed to be the solution to all problems, specially freedom from internal tyranny and foreign interference," Velayati underscored.

Since the start of 2011, the region has witnessed a growing wave of popular protests resulted from the people's growing awareness and vigilance.Tunisia saw the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in a popular revolution in January, which was soon followed by a revolution which toppled Hosni Mubarak in Egypt in February.

Libya was the third country touched by the Islamic Awakening. Libyans also embraced victory after months of bloody campaign against the country's dictator, Muammar al-Qaddafi.Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen have since been the scene of protests against their totalitarian rulers, who have resorted to brutal crackdown on demonstrations to silence their critics.

In Yemen, although the people have toppled the dictator and elected a president, the revolution still continues as allies and family members of the former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, still hold key posts in the country and have not been brought to justice.